Astra SPs have been one of my favorite blades for awhile. So much so that I used up my stash awhile ago and ordered replacements. I just started on the new packs with my most recent set-up - Joris OC and the Astra SP. Just finished the last shave today, and I've been amazed at how crappy and dull the blade has been from the start. Never really got a single good shave. What's more, when I unloaded the blade today it was covered in rust and the rust has stained the head of the Joris (lots of it) (the blade had been used for a total of 5 days with the razor/blade being air dried without disassembly in a dry room). I'd never seen that happen before with an Astra SP. Of course it may just be a bad blade, and I'm intending to try another in a different razor to check that. But, the dramatic difference in quality from lots of previous experience with this blade prompted me to see if anybody else has noticed anything similar with these blades. Unfortunately, I can't recall from where I ordered these blades. It was about 6 months ago.
Two questions:
1. Has anyone noticed a major decline in Astra SP quality recently or wide variability in quality from blade to blade/pack-to-pack?
2. Anyone aware that there are counterfeit Astra SP blades going around and if so any way to tell the real from the fakes from the blade or package?
Thanks for any insight.
Two questions:
1. Has anyone noticed a major decline in Astra SP quality recently or wide variability in quality from blade to blade/pack-to-pack?
2. Anyone aware that there are counterfeit Astra SP blades going around and if so any way to tell the real from the fakes from the blade or package?
Thanks for any insight.